Scared of the unknown

[Chestercpprpot]

I had a right radical orchiectomy almost three weeks ago. Came back 99% seminoma and 1% terafoma. A few spots are on my liver which my oncologist believes are seminoma masses. I start BEP on the 16 of July. I'm just scared of he unknown going into chemo. My dr has told me what to expect but I'm wondering if any of you may have some more info. Also my swelling at the incision sight hasn't gone down much. Dr's aren't worried. I'm just wondering if this is normal and when to expect it to go away. Basically I feel like I've been in a whirlwind the past 3 weeks and I'm looking for some info and comfort from survivors of TC. Thanks in advance! Taylor 31 right radical orchiectomy 99% seminoma 1% Terfoma BEP

[eodtech2001]

not to worry my friend you are in good company. Chemo is doable you just have to stay strong. Each person who goes through chemo has different reactions to the drugs. It just depends on you I suppose. First and foremost what ever meds they give you to combat the side effects take them whether you need them or not. You will thank me later for this. Also have you decided on IV or a port? I opted for a port because I did not want to get suck every few days. Instead the port is a small pinch in the chest and they can take blood from the port and give you your chemo through the port.
the first week of BEPx3 is chemo everyday for 5 days then week 2 is just one day and week 3 is just one day. Then you will have a 7 day rest cycle and start the 2nd cycle, until you complete 3 cycles.
I try and stay active while I am doing chemo, I finish my second cycle on Monday. I try and get out in the sun for at least 15 to 20 mins a day in order to get vitamins from the sun. Drink Lots and lots of water and sweat that way you get the chemo and the cancer out of you body as fast as you can. Try and eat 5 or 6 small meals through out the day. have no stress while you are going through chemo and enjoy the down time as a way of reflecting on your life.
I might also suggest that you start a blog or something in order to help with the highs and lows of the emotional roller coaster when it comes to dealing with TC. Ask lots of questions both on here and to your medical staff taking care of you. If you dont like the speed of things by all means speak up, it is your life and you must take charge of your care.
It will be a rough road to go down at times but you can and will make it to the other end and life will return to normal. I might also recommend along with the meals look into what you eat jsut as much as how much you eat. Knock on wood I have not gotten sick once through chemo, I would say my diet and the meds have had a lot to do with that.

"Keep your head down and your chin up"

others on here will chim in on medical issues, we all have differences with our cancer that make it unqiue. But for the most part the first line of chemo is either carboplatin (chemo lite) or BEPx3 or EPx4 depending on your staging and how well you handle chemo as you go along.

Stormin Norman

[Scott]

A few spots are on my liver which my oncologist believes are seminoma masses.

If I were you, I would get a second opinion, as that's not the normal path of spread.

[CancerSux]

Then you will have a 7 day rest cycle and start the 2nd cycle, until you complete 3 cycles

There should be no 7 day rest, it is finish the single bleo shot in week 3 and then jump right back into the full BEP 5 day week.

Scott is right, spots on the liver are not normal, especially without retroperitoneal masses first - how big are these 'spots'? Your oncologist may be jumping into chemo too fast, you want to find out more from your CT scan and get a second opinion.

[Chestercpprpot]

The main reason for chemo is the presence of cancer in the veins leaving the testicle going back to my body. No presence in lymphatic system. The spots on the bottom portion are very small, however the ones at the top are about an inch in diameter. My tumor on my testicle was very large. In fact the lab that did the biopsy of it commented on its size. The oncologist said that since their is presence of cancer cells in the veins leaving my testicle cells have entered my blood stream at some point. Chemo is going to happen regardless of spots in my liver. I can opt for a biopsy of the spots but it will just prolong the start of chemo which they say I'm going to need anyway.

[BarclayBanister]

Concur with Tracy--there is no "7 day rest period" between rounds.

[Davepet]

Week 1,2 3 exactly like eodtech2001 said, week 4 repeats week 1 & so on, no breaks.

No need to be afraid, yes, you will feel bad, sometimes worse & other times not so bad at all. I was very fatigued & unable to be very active. Take the meds they give you if you need them, but I did not take them if I didn't. I never vomited, but did feel queasy on the Sat, Sun & Mon after my long weeks, that's when I used the anti-nausea pills. I used more with each cycle & the queasiness lasted a bit longer each time as well.

Try to eat healthy, but you will pretty much be eating what sounds good to you at the moment. Some of my favorite foods just didn't sound good to me & I wanted some things I don't normally eat. Some things just won't taste right.

It would be good for you to post exactly what your Pathology report said & your CT scan. Also your blood marker results.

As far as your incision, 3 weeks seems a bit long to not see some reduction in swelling, what did your docs say about it besides "not being worried"?

Dave

[Smartie]

Just to reiterate what others have said; I agree with Scott that a second opinion on the liver spots is warranted. TC would typically spread to the lymph nodes and lungs long before showing up in the liver. It would be a good idea, I think, to be certain that you don't have some other problem with the liver.

[eodtech2001]

sorry bad choice of words. Not a break presay. It depends on if your on a 3 day cycle or a 5 day cycle really. I just know that weeks 2 and 3 I have bleo on monday and then the following week I start the cycle all over again.